Rabisarani

In Kolkata to reply to Lytton's letter of 31st December, 1925 in which the latter expresses his inability to grant Visva-Bharati a charter as a University because Visva-Bharati is yet to attain the stature required for such recognition. Rabindranath replies reiterating his views.

M.S.Marvin – cultural representative of The League of Nations visits Santiniketan and holds a meeting with the poet.

Accompanied by Pratima Devi, Nandalal Basu and A. A. Bake and Mrs. Bake, Rabindranath goes to Lucknow to attend the Nikhil Bharat Sangeet Sammelan.

Lytton replies (letter date 16th January).

His elder brother Dwijendranath Tagore dies in Santiniketan. Poet hastens back to Santinketan, delivers the sermon Mrityu during prayers at the temple.

Meanwhile preparations are going on in full swing in Dhaka to receive the poet during his forthcoming visit. Historian Rameshchandra Majumdar of Dhaka University and Kabi-Abhyarthana Samity prepare to receive Rabindranath.

Rabindranath arrives in Dhaka with a large entourage which includes Formichi and Tucci. Stays aboard Turag -- a houseboat made available by the Nawab of Dhaka for the poet's residence.

Felicitations given by Dhaka Municipality and People's Association. Later speaks at a massive meeting at Coronation Park.

Members of the local elite call on him on the houseboat. Visits Dipali Sangha(founded by Leela Nag). Nearly two thousand women welcome him here.

Speaks at a huge meeting of five thousand people where many women are present at the sprawling grounds of Jagannath Intermediate College; concentrates on the central problems of Hindu-Muslim discord, duty towards the Untouchables and rural reconstruction.

Attends reception organised by Dhaka University. Now Dr. Rameshchandra Majumdar is his host and poet moves to Majumdar's residence.

Slightly ill; engagements put on hold.

Prof. Formichi lectures on Meditative and Active India at Dhaka university.

Prof. Tucci lectures on The Idealistic School in Buddhism at Dhaka University.

Rabindranath delivers the lecture The rule of the Giant at Curzon Hall, Dhaka University and thus completes his programme at the University.

Attends a function of Visva-Bharati Sammilani at Apurbakumar Chanda's residence.

Organised by Educational Institute.

Poet sees a performance of Chirakumar Sabha.

Received by a large crowd at the railway station led by Maharaja Sasikanta Acharya Chowdhuri who puts him up at his Alexandra Castle. Rabindranath rests here for a few days.

Civic reception by municipality at Suryakanta Town Hall in the evening.

Felicitated by the local Brahmasamaj. Visits Anandamohan College in the evening.

Felicitated by Troiodashi Sammilani of Muktagachha.

Rabindranath visits Vidyamayi Balika Vidyalaya and City School.

Spends a few hours at the house of Zamindar Promodchandra Roychowdhuri-an alumnus of Santiniketan. Later leaves for Kumilla by train. Arrives and stays at Abhay Ashram, Kumilla.

The residents of the ashram present an address to the poet. Rabindranath gives a lecture here.

Presides over the third annual meeting of the ashram, speaks on the occasion.

Delivers a sermon after morning prayers at their ashram.

Calls on Akhilchandra and Indubhusan Dutta, visits Ramlala Students' Hostel.

Arrives in Agartala, Tripura on his seventh and last visit late at night. Stays at Kunjaban palace.

Writes the song – Doley premer dolonchampa.

Poet is felicitated by Kishore Sahitya Samaj at Umakanta Acadmy Hall.

Witnesses Rasleela dance performed by Manipuri women artistes at prince Brajendrakishore's house.

Leaves Agartala for Kolkata.

Halts at Chandpur on the way, addresses a meeting men and women who are grateful for the halt.

Also halts at Naraynganj. Local students present him with an address and hear him speak.

Writes the song – Phaguner nabin anandey.

Returns to Kolkata (28th Feb - 1st March).

Visva-Bharati says goodbye to Formichi who had come for three months only. Prof. Tucci stays back.

Rabindranath writes the poem Nababadhu.

Carlo Formichi is also given a farewell at Vichitra Bhaban,Jorasanko in the poet's presence. Rabindranath delivers a farewell address.

Rabindranath writes a long letter to Mussolini expressing his gratitude and sends it through Formichi.

Dr. Nilratan Sarkar examines him, advises complete rest and avoidance of all exertions in view of the state of his health.

Medical bulletin to this effect issued to the press.

Illness prolonged illness, prolonged stay at the Alipore residence of Prasantachandra Mahalanabis till 24th March.

Having recovered if only partially, he returns to Santiniketan. As usual, a variety of tasks claims his time and energy during the period March-April, 26.

Writes to Niharranjan Ray (1903-81), admiring his review of the Purabi in the Prabashi(Chaitra issue).

Lord Satyendraprasanna Sinha pays the rest Rs. 5000/- of the donation for Surul.

He is again penning songs.

• Eso Neepabane

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• Janine o kego amal akashe

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• Jabo,jabo, jabo tabe

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• Ke boley jao jao

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• Chaitra pavaney mama

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• Mon rey orey mon

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• Kalo megher ghata

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• Sakalbelar kunri amar

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• Ogo jaler rani

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• Apanhara matowara

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• Eso amar gharey eso

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• Se je moner manush keno tarey

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• Baney jadi phootlo

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• Parabasi choley eso

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• Eso eso eso praner utsavey

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• Tomar beena amar monomajhey

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• chapala taba nabina ankhi duti

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• Nupur bejey jay rinirini

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• Likhan tomar dhulay hoechhe dhuli

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• Jani tomar ajana nahi go 30th March, 1926

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• Ki phool jharilo 31st March, 1926

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• Amar latar pratham mukul 31st March, 1926

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• Keno rey etoi jabar twara 1st April, 1926

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• Kandar samay alpa orey 1st April, 1926

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• Bina sajey saji 2nd April, 1926

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• Ki paini tari hisaab 2nd April, 1926

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• Sei bhalo sei bhalo 2nd April, 1926

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• Anek katha jao jey boley 4th April, 1926

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• Dey pade dey amay tora 4th April, 1926

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• Patar bhela bhasai nirey 4th April, 1926

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• Ebar elo samay rey tor 6th April, 1926

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• Sesh belakar sesher gaaney 8th April, 1926

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• Adhek ghumey nayan chumey 8th April, 1926

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• E pathey ami je 8th April, 1926

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• Amar praney gabhir gopan 8th April, 1926

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• Haar manaley bhangiley abhiman 10th April, 1926

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• Din parey jay din 10th April, 1926

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• Bandhan chharar sadhan hobey 10th April, 1926

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Bengal Pact negotiated by Chittaranjan between Hindus and Muslims in Bengal finally collapses as Hindu-Muslim riots break out in Kolkata in a big way.

Rabindranath expresses his dismay and anguish in a letter to Pramatha Chowdhury.

Unable to preside over Bangiya Sahitya Sammilan at Suri due to weakness of health. The address written for this purpose is printed in the Prabashi (April-May issue,26) under the title Sahitya-sammilan.

Chirakumar Sabha is published, 1100 copies printed.

Lord Satyendraprasanna Sinha leaves for a tour of Europe including Italy. Rabindranath gives him a letter of introduction addressed to Mussolini.

The poet prays in the ashram temple in the evening on the last day of the Bengali year and delivers a sermon.

First day of the new Bengali year sees him pray in the temple in the morning.

Writes the Baikali cycle of poems and songs.

65th birth anniversary celebrated with great flourish. Congatulations from notables both at home and abroad arrive. The Maharaja of Porbandar also announces his generous grant for Kalabhaban today.

Natir Puja is performed in the evening at Santiniketan.

Rabindranath writes a long analytical review of hs book Ryoter Katha.

Sends the manuscript of Baikali to Ramananda Chatterjee, writes in a letter that he wants it to be first published in Prabashi and later as a book.

Prof. Formichi's letter inviting the poet to visit Italy received.

Rabindranath leaves for Bombay en route to Europe with a large entourage which includes Rathindranath, Pratima Devi, Pupe, Premchand Lal, Gourgopal Ghosh.

Prasantachandra and Rani Mahalanabish will go to Italy via Colombo and later join the poet in Rome to Rabindranath's delight and Formichi's dismay. He'll play an important role in opening the poet's eyes to fraudulent fascist propoganda during the Italian tour.

Rabindranath sails for Italy on the Italian boat Aquileja. Lavish arrangements on board and the poet is accorded the honour due to a guest of state.

Hebrew scholar Shulamith Flaum who had visited Santiniketan comes on board at Port Said and invites him to visit the new Jewish state in Palestine. But the poet declines because of his fast-paced Italian itinerary.

Writes to Santoshchandra Majumdar that he has written an essay on the ideal of education.

Disembarks at Naples, Italy.

Received by Formichi and government officials who've arrived from Rome. Goes to Rome by special train.

Elmhirst and Andree Karpelles arrive from England and France respectively to meet him at Naples.

In Rome. State-sponsored hospitality leaves nothing to chance.

He meets Mussolini and when he speaks to the press, Rabindranath is all praise, some would say fulsome praise for the Italian dictator. "His Excellency Mussolini seems modeled body and soul by the chisel of a Michael Angelo, whose very action showed intelligence and force. i see a great future for your country..."Statements like this are exaggerated and fastened upon by the Fascist press and give them a handle to project Tagore as witlessly endorsing everything Mussolini does and ignoring the cruel excesses committed by him.

Poet stays in Rome for a couple of weeks, goes to see many places famous in history and numerous visitors call on him though government officials and particularly Formichi who acts as interpreter are always at hand to make sure that only pro-Fascist intellectuals and academics get to see him.

The question as to who invited Rabindranath to visit Italy is keenly discussed and debated in the Indian press. For example, The Pioneeer of Allahabad writes--"The meeting between the great bengali poet and the Italian duke at Rome is a piquant incident in the international life today...The poet in Tagore may see much that is admirable in the wonderful work which Mussolini has done for his country...But he will not fail to see danger ahead." (3rd June).

Given a grand civic reception at the Capitol by the mayor of Rome and the elite of the city.

Delivers an address on The Meaning of Art at a gathering of Unione Intellectuale Italina.

Visits Orti di Pace -- a children's school.

Witnesses Annual Choral Concert of School Children at the Colosseum.

Felicitated by Rome University in the evening.

King meets Victor Emmanuel (1869-1947) - King of Italy.

The poet sees a performance of the play in Italian at the Argentina Theatre.

And at last a secret meeting with Beneditto Croce(1866-1952) takes place - much to Formichi's discomfiture.

News of Fascist tyranny and atrocities from various sources somehow trickles in; in spite of the censorship exercised by Formichi. Prasantachandra tries his utmost to make him aware of the baleful nature of Fascist rule which Mrs. Salvadori will later unveil to him in lurid details in Zurich. But the spell cast by Mussolini over him is yet to be completely broken.

In Florence, received by Marchase Corsini of the celebrated Corsini family of Florence.

Delivers an address on My School at Florence University.

In Turin, felicitated by women's organisation--Pro Coltura feminine.

Delivers the address City and Village at Liceo Musicalle hall.

Speaks to an audience of the students of Turin University.

Leaves Italy for Switzerland.

Arrives, stays in Hotel Byron.

Poet often meets Romain Rolland who lives close by. Rolland tries to disabuse him of the impressions created by Fascist propaganda, shows him the wicked disparity between what he actually said in his statements and distorted version put out by Formichi and the Italian press.

In Zurich. Writes to Formichi pointing out the stark fact that his statements and pronouncements have not been correctly translated and reported by the Italian press.

Italian refugees who have fled from fascist Italy and taken shelter in Switzerland meet the poet.

But the frightful truth of what Fascism really is at last sinking in, though slowly. He writes in this letter that though he admires Mussolini, "That I should be made to appear to sanction a career of unscrupulous crime in any political body for the sake of the self-aggrandizement of a people is extremely repugnant to me."

Arrives in Vienna.

Dr.Angelica Balbanoff and Modigliani -- victims of fascist tyranny and consequently refugees in Austria, meet him in Vienna and the poet is further disabused.

Fires a second letter to Formichi.

Reaches London via Paris; goes to Elmhirst's recently established school at Dartington Hall.

Meets old friends like Rothenstein, C.P. Scott, E.Rees.

Goes to Carbis Bay in Cornwall, meets Bertrand and Dora Russell.

Returns to London.

Spends a day with poet laureate Bridges at the latter's invitation in Oxford.

Meets the sculptor Epstein who makes a grand bust of the poet.

After 3 weeks spent in London, Rabindranath sails for Norway with Lord Satyendraprasanna Sinha and Prasantachandra and Rani Mahalanabis.

His first visit to Oslo. Meets friends like Prof.S. Konow -- a former guest-lecturer at Santiniketan as well as King Hakone of Norway.

Delivers a lecture at Oriental Academy, Oslo.

Gives a public lecture in the hall of the University.

Goes to see Gustav Vigeland's famous sculpture Fountain of Life in a park in Oslo.

During the brief stay in Oslo leading Norwegian writers and intellectuals call him.

Arrives in Stockholm.

Meets members of the Swedish Academy at a lunch hosted in his honour by the famous explorer Sven Hedin(1865-1952).

Arrives in Copenhagen.

Sees the ailing George Brandis (1842-1927).

Crosses the Baltic Sea to reach Germany.

On the steamer writes the song – Se kon pagol jai.

Delivers a lecture on Culture and Progress.

Writes two songs

• Kar chokher chawar 9th September, 1926

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• Roy je kangal shunya hatey 9th September, 1926

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In Berlin and stays there from 11th to 16th September.

Meets the German president Von Hindenburg at the latter's invitation.

Meets education minister Dr. Becker and the world renowned Einstein.

Writes a letter to The Manchester Guardian attacking Fascism in italy.

Received by his German publisher Kurt Wolff at his residence.

In Munich. Writes four songs from 17th to 19th September.

• Chhutir banshi bajlo 17th September, 1926

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• Akash, tomay kon roopey 17th September, 1926

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• Nai nai bhay, hobe hobe joy 18th September, 1926

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• Tor bhitarey jagia 18th September, 1926

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In Nuremberg.

In Stuttgart.

Writes three songs.

• Amar mukti aloy aloy 19th September, 1926

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• Sakalbelar aloy bajey 20th September, 1926

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• Madhur tomar sesh je 21st September, 1926

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In Cologne.

Writes two songs

• Chahia dekho raser srotey 24th September, 1926

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• Tumi ushar sonar bindu 24th September, 1926

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Writes the song – Gane gane taba bandhana.

Back in Berlin; Rathindranth undergoes surgery.

Delivers lecture, goes to see performance of Dakghar.

Ramananda Chatterjee is now travelling in Europe, meets the poet.

Writes the song – Apni amar konkhaney.

Arrives in Prague; stays a few days, sees a performance of Dakghar(Czech version). Delivers lectures. Also witnesses a Bach recital at New German Theatre.

Writes two songs

• Ogo sundara ekada ki jani 11th October, 1926

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• Kothay phiris param sesher 12th October, 1926

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Gives an address immediately after arrival. Overcome with fatigue, rests here for ten days (16th to 26th October).

Writes – Akashey tor temni achhe chhuti –

Arrives in Budapest, Hungary.

Though ill, gives a lecture. Meets Hungarian supremo admiral Horthy. Falls ill again.

In Budapest he writes the poem which begins -- Path ekhono sesh holo na.

Budapest Municipality hosts a dinner in his honour at Municipal St. Gellert Hotel.

Following medical advice,retires to a sanatorium at Balaton Fured for rest and recuperation.

At Balaton pens the song – diner belai banshi tomar.

Lekhan inscribes the poems of this anthology for facsimile printing on aluminium sheets based on new German methods. Writes to Prasantachandra instructing him to procure machinery for facsimile printing for Santiniketan press.

Plants a linden sapling at the sanatorium.

Writes another song at Balaton – Pantha-pakhir rikta kulai.

In Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Delivers addresses to a huge audience at Belgrade University on two days.

Rathindranath and others join him here.

Arrives in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Meets academics and opinion leaders, gives one lecture.

Is received by king Boris of Bulgaria.

Travels to Bucharest, Rumania.

Receives felicitation and veneration from Rumanians; king Ferdinand hosts a lunch in honour of the poet.

Arrives in Athens, is accorded a reception by Greek writers and intellectuals and and the honour of the 'Order of the Redeemer' is conferred on him.

Here Prasantachndra and Nirmalkumari(Rani) leave Rabindranath and start for England.

In Egypt.

Arrives Cairo.

Invited to tea by the greatest living Egyptian poet Ahmed Souki. All the ministers of the Egyptian government attend the party and a session of the Parliament is adjourned in his honour.

The poet is received by king Faud and presented with a collection of Arabic classics.

Visits Cairo museum.

Sails for India from Alexandria.

Santoshchandra Majumdar – Rathindranath's classmate and a dedicated worker of Santiniketan and Sriniketan is dead. The news immensely saddens Rabindranath.

During the voyage begins a series of letters addressed to Rani Mahalanabis.

On board the ship gets acquainted with the German anthropologist Christoph Von Furer Heimendorf and his wife who will later win fame for his work on the aboriginals of central and south India. Admires their dedication in a letter to Rani Mahalanabis.

Arrives in Kolkata to a big reception of the city literati led by the mayor J.M. Sengupta.

Returns to Santiniketan.

Held as usual in the ashram.

42nd annual session held in Guahati, Assam. Srinivas Iyenger presides.

In an address delivered in Santiniketan before an assembly of local people, Rabindranath implores both Hindus and Muslims to maintain peace and harmony.